Best Corded Impact Wrench 2019 – Top Models Compared!

If you have to tighten and loosen bolts and other fasteners all day long, then you don’t want to be doing that by hand. Imagine how much time and effort it would take to undo and fasten several dozen bolts - it would be excruciating.

That’s why you need to get one of the best corded impact wrenches. These tools are designed to make this process so much easier and more efficient. When you have an impact wrench at your disposal, you can save both time and effort.

Today we’re looking at corded models. When picking out an impact wrench, you can choose between electric or battery-operated, but when you need power and reliability, it’s always best to choose the former. Let’s see what they have to offer.

Our 5 Best Corded Impact Wrench Reviews

1. Porter-Cable PCE211 7.5 Amp 1/2" Impact Wrench

One of the most critical aspects of an impact wrench is the amount of torque that you get with the device. In this case, the Porter-Cable PCE211 is one of the strongest and most professional options you can find. With a torque rating of 450 feet per pound, it's much better than anything else we'll see here.

Fortunately, even with the professional-grade settings, it’s still priced for consumers and DIY enthusiasts. This means that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a high-quality machine. The construction of this device is impeccable, with steel and aluminum parts holding it all together.

As far as corded impact wrenches go, the PCE211 is one of the top units we’ve seen. In addition to the high torque, you also have a 7.5-amp motor that delivers exceptional power and performance.

When talking about speed and efficiency, this impact wrench delivers. It operates at 2200 rpm and 2700 ipm, meaning that you can install or remove almost any bolt in seconds. When you have dozens or hundreds of fasteners to work on, this speed and power are going to offer a welcome reprieve.

Overall, this is a highly capable corded impact wrench, and it even comes with a three-year limited warranty from Porter-Cable.

Pros

Robust 7.5-amp motor

Sized for ½ inch sockets

Operates at 2200 rpm

Delivers up to 2700 impacts or beats per minute

Best in class torque is 450 feet per pound

Durable steel and aluminum construction

Lightweight model is just 7.5 pounds

Hog ring anvil for better operation

Forward and reverse options

​​​​Cons

Maximum torque may not be a full 450 ft-pounds

Heavier than other models

2. AIRCAT 1150 Killer Torque 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

Next, we have a high-torque impact wrench from Aircat. If you’re looking for something with a lot of power and muscle, then this could be a great option for you. It uses a ½-inch anvil and provides up to 1200 pounds of torque for nut busting. The RPM rating is 9000, and the IPM rating is 1400. Best of all, it has a variable speed adjustment so that you can customize the levels based on your current project.

What we like most about this wrench is the fact that it has a powerful motor and a quiet operation. Unlike most models, this one won’t be too loud while you’re working.

We would prefer to have a brushless motor, but overall this one does just fine. Finally, it comes with a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

Pros

Compact and lightweight design

½ inch anvil

Generates up to 1200 pounds of torque for removal

900 lbs of torque for tightening

1400 IPM rating, with 9000 RPM

Larger rotor creates more power

Soft grip handle for stability

Quiet operation

Variable speed adjustment

Two-year limited warranty

Cons

No battery provided

In rare cases, the trigger may stick

3. Kawasaki 841426 1/2-Inch Impact 7.5-Amp Wrench

Although torque is a crucial component of impact wrenches, it’s far from the only thing you should worry about. Also, more torque is only necessary when you’re dealing with specific bolts and systems, so if you’re not in a position to need it, then you want to downgrade to something smaller.

Kawasaki is known mostly for making bikes and jet skis, but the brand also produces high-quality compact power tools as well. This particular model is designed for light wrench work, making it a perfect addition to your workshop or garage.

The torque rating of this unit is just 220 feet per pound, which is perfect for removing bolts from tires and other automotive parts. It also operates at 2700 ipm, allowing you to install or remove your fasteners in no time.

As you can see, many of the specs on this model are similar to other impact wrenches we’ll see, so as long as you don’t need a lot of torque, you should be able to work on a variety of projects with ease.

One unique extra that you get with this wrench is a four-piece socket set. This is handy because it saves you from having to buy those separately. The sockets are the most common sizes you will need, so you might not even have to buy any additional ones later on.

Pros

Durable brushed aluminum housing

A powerful 7.5-amp motor is low-maintenance

Has a ½-inch chuck for versatility

Offers 220 feet per pound of torque

Operates at 2700 ipm

Four-piece socket set provided

Weighs just over 10 pounds

Speed of 2100 rpm

Soft grip handle reduces vibrations

​​​​Cons

Heavier than other wrenches

Not designed for professional use

4. DEWALT DW292 7.5-Amp 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

Typically speaking, if you’re going to be buying a consumer-grade power tool, DeWalt is going to be a brand that you want to pay attention to in your search. The company is well-known for making high-quality parts and materials, and this impact wrench shows it.

As with other wrenches we’ve seen, this unit comes with a highly capable motor. At 7.5 amps, you can power through most jobs without stopping. Not only that but the motor uses ball bearings to ensure that it doesn’t break down as quickly as other devices.

The low-maintenance design is the name of the game with DeWalt, so you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing this impact wrench anytime soon.

When looking at the power and performance, you can see that it comes with 345 feet per pound of torque. This is not quite professional-grade, but it’s more than enough for most jobs and projects. Keeping this impact wrench in your garage is a good idea.

As far as speed goes, it operates at 2100 rpm and 2700 impacts per minute. When trying to speed up the fastening and loosening process, a higher ipm is going to make your job so much easier. For the most part, 2700 ipm is pretty standard.

When buying from DeWalt, you can expect to get a remarkable three-year limited warranty. This product is also covered by a 30-day guarantee, so be sure to take advantage in case of any defects.

Pros

Durable steel and plastic housing

Sturdy 7.5-amp brushless motor

Low-maintenance design is built to last

Offers 345 feet per pound of torque

Works in forward and reverse

Ergonomic handle fights fatigue while working

Ball bearings in the motor keep it running smoothly

Detent-pin anvil holds onto sockets more securely

Operates at 2100 rpm and 2700 ipm

Lightweight design is just over eight pounds

​​​​Cons

May have to loosen extra tight nuts manually

Not as durable as other models

5. HAMMERHEAD HDIW075 7.5 AMP 1/2-inch Impact Wrench

If you’re looking for a compact and reliable corded impact wrench, this model from HammerHead is a decent choice. When comparing all of the specs and features, you can see that this is a perfect addition to any garage.

As far as torque is concerned, this unit delivers up to 240 feet per pound. While this isn’t enough for heavy-duty work, it can still help out a lot. In some cases, you may have to loosen a nut manually first. Fastening is always going to be a breeze with this device.

One thing we like about this unit, in particular, is the friction ring. The quality of the socket chuck can vary between wrenches, so you have to pay attention. In this case, the friction ring holds onto the socket better. This feature ensures that you don’t have a spinning socket while working.

When talking about speed, this wrench spins at 2200 rpm. It also has 2700 ipm, which helps get your nuts and bolts on and off faster. Holding this wrench is comfortable thanks to its non-slip covering and reduced vibration.

Pros

Reliable 7.5-amp brushless motor

½ inch chuck fits most sockets

Spins at 2200 rpm

Delivers 2700 impacts per minute

Friction ring holds onto sockets better

Steel and aluminum housing for durability

Forward and reverse rocker switch

Rubberized handle reduces vibrations

Two-finger operation for less fatigue

Has 240 feet per pound of torque

Weighs eight pounds

​​​​Cons

Not designed for high-torque applications

In rare cases, the motor may shut off unexpectedly

6. Kawasaki 841337 1/2-Inch Impact 12-Volt Wrench

Considering that impact wrenches are usually used for automotive purposes, you want to have access to one whenever you drive. However, since corded impact wrenches require a power source, how does that work?

Well, if you have this model from Kawasaki, you can plug into your car’s A/C adapter. Although you don’t get as much energy or power from the engine, it’s enough to help you in a jam. This particular impact wrench is designed for emergencies.

Getting stuck on the side of the road is never fun. With this unit, you can plug in and get your tire changed much faster than if you use a manual iron. It has an extra long 11-foot power cord to reach all tires as well.

To make things even easier for you, this unit comes with two sockets. It also includes a carrying case so that you can keep it in your trunk. Since this wrench is built for emergencies, you don’t want to keep it in your garage.

When looking at the specs, you’ll notice that it offers 190 foot-pounds of torque. It also operates at a higher speed to help loosen and fasten nuts more easily. As you can imagine, it won’t do well on extra-tight fasteners, so keep that in mind.

Pros

12-volt motor plugs into a car outlet

Uses standard ½ inch chuck

Delivers up to 190 foot-pounds of torque

Operates at 2500 rpm for faster speeds

Two sockets included for convenience

The power cord is 11 feet long for easier access

Carry case included for storage

Lightweight design is just one pound

​​​​Cons

For emergency use only

Can drain car battery if the vehicle is not on

Choosing The Right Corded Impact Wrench for the Money

Motor

There are a couple of things that you want to pay attention to in an impact wrench motor. First, you want to make sure that it’s low-maintenance. Since you’ll likely be using the wrench over and over again, you don’t want it to burn out. Typically, brushless models are better than traditional ones.

The other thing to watch out for is the number of amps. Higher amp ratings are going to deliver more power. With more energy running through the device, you can work faster and longer. For example, if the motor has just six amps, it will die sooner than one that has eight or nine.

Since we’re looking at corded models, the motors will be rated by amps. However, if you decide to switch to cordless, you’ll be looking at volts. In either case, higher numbers are better overall.

Speed

Since a corded impact wrench is built to help you work faster, you want a model with sufficient speed. The speed of a wrench is determined by two ratings: rpm and bpm (or ipm). Rotations per minute refers to how fast the socket will turn.

Bpm stands for beats per minute, and ipm refers to impacts per minute. In either case, the rating is talking about how many times the hammer strikes the socket. This movement is necessary to help loosen and fasten your nuts and bolts.

As with amp ratings, higher numbers are better. However, the speed is nothing without the torque. Thus, if you have to choose between a faster wrench or one with more torque, go with the latter.

Torque

More than anything else, this rating is going to determine the quality of your impact wrench. The torque is listed as feet per minute, and you need a sufficient amount to get the job done. In some cases, various nuts and bolts will say how much torque they need.

For the most part, at least 190-200 foot-pounds is sufficient. That is enough to work on your car’s tires and get the bolts loosened. However, if you’re working on bigger machinery, you need more torque at your disposal.

Professional-grade impact wrenches usually have about 700-800 foot-pounds. However, if you’re just using the device to work on your car, you won’t need that much power.

Size

Finally, since these are hand tools, the dimensions and weight matter. When working for extended periods, you don’t want something too heavy. Even six or seven pounds can feel like a lot after 30 minutes or so.

The length and shape of the wrench also matter. Since you might have to be working in tight and confined spaces, you want to be sure that it will fit. If your impact wrench is too bulky, it can pose a significant problem while working.

What are the advantages of Impact Wrenches?

Impact wrenches are ideal for tightening and loosening mechanisms that you commonly find on large machinery or automobiles. These wrenches can use a number of different sources for power, including batteries, compressed air and even hydraulic. The most common way that you find these wrenches powered it by compressed air. You can take cordless or corded impact wrench according to you choice.

What's the best way to use this product?

The best way to use these devices is in the context of vehicles or heavy machinery. It is common to see these tools being used by automotive mechanics and anyone who is operating or working on any kind of heavy machinery or piece of construction equipment.

Prerequisites to Using the Product

Before you decide to get your own impact wrench, you be sure that you are comfortable using one. Make sure that you have learned how to use an impact wrench from someone who is experienced in using one. Be sure that you are comfortable using one under professional supervision, before you use one on your own.

Conclusion

When looking at the different specs of the best corded impact wrenches, we determined that the Porter-Cable model is above the rest. With a whopping 450 foot-pounds of torque, you can tackle almost any job. Although we like the compact design and portability of the Kawasaki 12-volt, the Porter-Cable wrench is ideal for virtually any occasion.